Alexander the Great came to visit Corinth. Thereupon many statesmen and philosophers came to greet Alexander and extend their congratulations. Alexander expected that Diogenes of Sinope also, who was in Corinth, would do likewise. Yet this Greek philosopher, who was living in barrel, took not the slightest notice of Alexander.

Intrigued, Alexander eventually went out to the suburb in person where Diogenes lived, in his large barrel. H found him lying in the sun in front of his barrel. He found the philosopher sunning himself, naked except for a loin-cloth. Diogenes, his meditations disturbed by the noise and laughter of the numerous courtiers who came flocking at the captain-general’s heels, looked up at Alexander with a direct, uncomfortable gaze, but said nothing. For once in his life, Alexander was somewhat embarrassed. He greeted Diogenes with elaborate formality, and waited. Diogenes remained silent. At last, in desperation, Alexander asked if there was anything the philosopher wanted, anything he, Alexander, could do for him?

’Yes,’ came the famous answer, ‘stand aside; you’re keeping the sun off me.’

Struck by this unexpected reply, Alexander admired so much the haughtiness and grandeur of the man who had nothing but scorn for him. In leaving the scene, Alexander’s followers tried to turn the episode into a joke, jeering at Diogenes and belittling his pretensions. The king, turned reflective, silenced them with one remark:

“Truly, if I were not Alexander the Great, I would like to be Diogenes.”
Alexander anecdotes barrel Diogenes history story sun